In an apparent attempt to smear dead Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman's defense team has released photos and text messages from Martin's cellphone ahead of a hearing next week that will determine whether they're admissible in court.

Last year, Zimmerman shot the unarmed 17-year-old during a confrontation in a Florida neighborhood. Zimmerman claims he shot Martin in self defense and is pleading not guilty to charges of fatally shooting the teenager. His trial is scheduled to begin next month.

The photos released by Zimmerman's legal team appear to show Martin blowing smoke, riding a horse, and holding a gun. Text messages discuss Martin's mom apparently kicking him out of the house.

"If the state puts at issue Trayvon, who he was. If the state makes that an issue, we get to respond to that," Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, told the Associated Press.

Prosecutors have previously requested gag orders against O'Mara. A gag order would prevent attorneys from discussing evidence in the case and opinions about Zimmerman's guilt with news organizations and on social media. A judge denied one request, and the state has filed another, saying the case is getting an "inordinate amount of media coverage."